State prioritizes combating the rampant road accidents, cabinet meeting resolves

By M.A. Egge

The 17th session of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Somaliland on Wednesday this week saw the delving into the road accidents that has in recent times become the number one killer in the country.

Issues on ways and means of curbing it were discussed intensely hence the government resolved to make the matter a priority issue.

The cabinet session was chaired by the President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro.

According to a press release by the Presidential Spokesman Hussein Adam Egge, the main points in the discussions itinerary went as follows: –

(𝟏) A general report on the country’s security situation, was given by the Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Security, who informed the Council that overall the country’s security is secure, except for daily criminal acts that occur in society and traffic accidents, which can truly be said to be national disaster, as they cause the most deaths and injuries in our country.

(𝟐) The Minister of Finance and Economic Development also provided the cabinet with a general report on the country’s economic conditions and the progress of GST tax collection and the growth of the National Revenue. The Minister also shared with the Council that the Economic Subcommittee of the Council of Ministers has appointed a Technical Committee to prepare the Plan, Policy and Regulations necessary for the growth of the National Economy.

𝟑) The Minister of Civil Aviation and Airport Development, who is part of the Organizing Committee, briefed the Council on the preparations for the 34th Anniversary of 18^th May. The Minister spoke in details about the components that will comprise the May 18 celebrations.

The Minister presented this year’s theme “𝐆𝐚𝐜𝐦𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐚-𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐚, 𝐆𝐮𝐮𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐚”, an adage loosely translated meaning, “Truimph comes through concerted efforts of togetherness”; which is based on the Plan of the Togetherness and Action Government. The Minister pointed out that the May 18th Commemoration this year would be intensely different from previous years, with many new events added to celebrate the Nationality and Patriotism Day of the Somaliland people.

) The Minister of the Presidency shared with the Cabinet that the Togetherness and Action Government presented the 100-day activities to Somaliland society in a meaningful way, with audio, video and written materials. Similarly, he informed the Cabinet that the 1st phase of the Biometric Registration of the various branches of the National Forces has been successfully completed, after which it will move on to the 2nd phase.

5) The Minister of Interior and Security and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport briefed the Council on the issues and causes of Traffic accidents, which can truly be said to be a national disaster. The Ministers said that traffic accidents are the most common causes of death and injury in our country every year.

They held long and intensive debate on the issues that cause excessive traffic accidents and on finding solutions to the problem and how the Government could take measures to reduce traffic accidents.

The Council agreed to give accidents’ issue its due priority, and to conduct in-depth research to study this issue.

𝟔) The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources briefed the Council on a working trip to the coasts of Salel Region, especially the two coastal towns of Zeila and Lughaya. He briefed the cabinet in depth on the challenges prevalent in the areas he visited, especially in terms of transportation and social development, economic infrastructure; and how to utilize the various resources of Salel Region, especially the development of fishery services, equipment and its skills.

𝟕) Lastly, the President shared with the Council a general update on the progress of the Nationalization of civilian forces in the Sanaag, West Sool, Saraar and Togdeer regions, which is progressing well and is nearing completion.

The President also informed the Council that the peace process meetings going on in El-Afweyn are progressing well.